VATICAN CITY - Environmental destruction is a sign of a "morally decaying scenario" in which too many people ignore or deny that, from the beginning, "God intended humanity to cooperate in the preservation and protection of the natural environment," said the leaders of the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

VATICAN CITY – Generosity, hard work, solidarity and a recognition of the dignity of the human person are essential for facing the major challenges posed by natural disasters, a large influx of migrants and a crisis in creating jobs, especially for young people, Pope Francis told Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

I am almost completely removed from nature in my daily life. I don’t have to worry about where my water is coming from and the food I eat is easily accessible at the supermarket. My life, and the lives of my family and friends, are not in any immediate danger because of global warming.

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican hopes that U.S. bishops and others will continue to raise their voices in defense of the obligation to fight climate change and, in time, can persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to change his position, a top Vatican official said.

VATICAN CITY – Increasing threats against biodiversity, unsustainable use of the earth's resources and accelerated extinction rates are driven more by overconsumption and unjust wealth distribution than by the number of people on the planet, a Vatican workshop concluded.

OTTAWA – Canadian organizations concerned about climate justice are preparing to resist any “Trump effect” on the environment.

VATICAN CITY – The vulnerability of the poor and of future generations to the impact of climate change creates a "serious ethical and moral responsibility to act without delay and as free as possible from political and economic pressure" to slow climate change and protect the environment, Pope Francis said.

ST. ALBERT, Alta. – Until a year and a half ago, Alberta was “ground zero” for lack of trust in protecting the environment, says Andrew Read of the environmentalist Pembina Institute.

A common response to Ottawa’s recent ratification of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change was to declare it the start of a bold new era. We say not so fast, we’ve been down this road before.

OTTAWA – Groups concerned about man-made climate change are applauding Canada’s ratification of the Paris climate accord Oct. 5.

TORONTO – The Canadian arm of the Jesuits is selling all its investments in oil, gas and coal.

VATICAN CITY – Religions can play an important role in protecting the environment and defending human rights in their countries, their communities and their schools, Pope Francis said.

In a message released Thursday (Sept. 1) to mark the Catholic Church’s World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which Francis instituted last September, the pontiff noted that the worst impact of global warming was being felt by those least responsible for it — refugees and the poor.

ROME – Marking the first anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace launched a new web site dedicated to the document and efforts around the world to put its teaching into practice.